Method of repairing boots and shoes



(ModeL) M. A. MALLALIEU. Method of Repairing Boots and Shoes.

No. 230,560. Patented July 27,1880.

fat 976107: M @wm UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MARY ANN MALLALIEU, OF AURORA, ILLINOIS.

METHOD OF REPAIRLNG BOOTS AND SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 230,560, dated July 27, 1880.

Application filed March 11, 1880. (Model) To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARY ANN MALLALIEU, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anrora, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Method of' Repairing Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification.

Heretofore the soles and heels of boots and shoes have been made of leather, india-rubber, or gutta-perch a, attached by pegs, screws, sewing,'or otherwise, and when the sole or heel has become worn out or needs repair it has been necessary to replace the same at considerable expense and by one skilled in such matters.

The object of my invention is to provide an efficient substitute for leather, which can be applied in such a manner that when soles or heels for boots and shoes are required or-"need repair the same can be supplied at a very small expense by any one, no matter how unskilled; and to this end my invention consists in the method of preparing and using gutta-percha so that it may be employed as a substitute for leather in repairing boots and shoes, as hereinafter described.

In the drawing, A represents the sole and heel, of leather, and B the same, composed of gutta-percha and attached thereto.

In carrying my invention into effect I place a sufficient quantity of gutta-percha in a vessel of water and allow it to soak therein until it becomes soft and of such consistency as to be easily worked. The soaked gutta-percha is then removed from the vessel and worked and rolled under or between suitable rollers until to remain long enough to become soft and pliable, when it is removed and held near the fire until dry. While this is being done I get pre pared cement ready by warming it until it becomes of proper consistency, when it is spread upon the surface of the sole or heel of the boot or shoe to be repaired. The piece of guttapercha which has been drying at the fire is then laid upon the spread cement on the boot or shoe and pressed firmly in contact therewith, when the parts adhere, and after being allowed to cool for a few minutes will be firm and solid. The rough edges are now removed bytrimmin g with a knife or otherwise, and the repaired shoe is ready for use. A boot or shoe repaired in this manner will be durable and present a neat appearance.

The striking advantage of my method is that it enables any person at little expense to repair the soles and heels of boots and shoes at v home as many times as may be required, the material used generally becoming tougher and more serviceable the longer it is worn, besides resisting the effects of wet and dampness better than leather.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patout, is-

The method of repairing the'soles and heels of boots and shoes with gutta-percha, consisting in soaking said material in water, then working and rolling it between rollers until it is reduced to the required thickness, when it is cut to the desired shape, soaked in hot water until pliable, then dried and secured to the boot or shoe by means of suitable cement, and finally trimmed, substantially as specified.

MARY ANN MALLALIEU. 

